Spicy and Crunchy, Salty and Sweet: Our Crowd-Pleasing Snack Mixes Can't Be Beat

Whether you are throwing a game-day celebration, a casual backyard barbecue, or an elegant cocktail party, snack mixes—like the Crunchy Ramen Snack Mix you see right here—are always a popular addition to the appetizer table. What's more, they fit in nicely with just about any other bites and drinks you'd like to serve. Set out a bowl of our Candied Mixed Nuts with Bitters and they'll pair swimmingly with a cheese platter and a glass of bubbly.

If you're throwing a big party and aren't sure of the allergy status of all of your guests, opt for nut-free options; our Rosemary-Cayenne Snack Mix and Dry-Roasted Edamame with Cranberries are two tasty options made sans nuts and seeds, and both happen to be naturally gluten-free, too. This ensures there won't be any cross-contamination of nuts at the buffet table or on the cheese platter, so everyone can relax and enjoy the great food and atmosphere.

But throwing a party isn't your only excuse to whip up a snack mix. They're perfect for activities like camping, road trips, and beach days. Having a batch of homemade snack mix on hand is a healthier way to enjoy a snack and get that essential energy needed for a day jam-packed with activities. Many store-bought brands of snack mix are loaded with excessive amounts of sodium and fat because that is what helps preserve it for a longer shelf life. With homemade, however, you can bypass the scary sodium counts and just enjoy the pure, wholesome taste of nuts and dried fruit, like our recipe for Maple-Almond Banana Trail Mix.

Have we made your mouth water yet? Keep scrolling for our very best sweet, salty, and spicy snack mix recipes—they're perfect for any and every occasion.

Rosemary-Cayenne Snack Mix

This incredibly crunchy snack is made with puffed-corn cereal. Not only is it quick and easy to make, but it's also naturally free of gluten and nuts.

Spicy-Sweet Maple Snack Mix

Maple syrup lends a full, well-rounded sweetness to this classic party mix. The cayenne pepper keeps it lively and interesting with every handful.

Candied Mixed Nuts with Bitters

A dash of angostura bitters is what keeps these candied nuts from being too cloyingly sweet. Those snacking on these won't quite be able to pinpoint where the balancing warm spices are coming from—it'll be our little secret!

Chesapeake Bay Snack Mix

Channel an East Coast crab shack with this snack mix made with seafood spice and the oyster crackers traditionally served with hearty chowders.

Dry-Roasted Edamame with Cranberries

Given the color palette, this crunchy protein-packed snack mix is particularly appropriate around Christmas.

Crispy Chickpea Snack

Crunchy roasted chickpeas are well suited to a variety of spices—we used smoky-sweet garam masala.

Peppered Mixed Nuts with Lemon and Capers

This snack mix would fit right in at a seaside bar somewhere on the Mediterranean coastline. Briny capers are fried until airy and crisp, then mixed with lemon, roasted nuts, and a generous amount of pepper.

Maple-Almond Banana Trail Mix

If you're going to go to the trouble of making a homemade trail mix, it had better be more unique and even more delicious than any store-bought variety. Here, banana chips are a special and tasty treat with a whole lot of crunch.

Hazelnut Puppy Chow

This classic kid's snack is elevated to a classy conversation starter thanks to chocolate-hazelnut butter and Dutch-process cocoa powder.

Nuts and Bolts Snack Mix

Rosemary is an unexpected twist in this zesty mix of corn cereal, pretzels, and peanuts.

Sweet-and-Smoky Brittle

Don't be afraid of a little heat. Adobo sauce and cayenne add nice spice to this mix.

Spicy-Sweet Pretzel Mix

The molasses-like flavor of dark brown sugar is pepped up with cayenne pepper in this irresistible snack mix.

Cereal Mix with Olive Oil and Parmesan

The grown-up flavors of Parmesan and olive oil elevate the usual suspects (cereal and pretzels) in this tasty mix.

Candied Spiced Chickpeas

Candied chickpeas might sound unusual, but we can't get enough of the crunchy, sweet coating.

Gingered Nuts

This brittle-like candy, made with mixed nuts and candied ginger plus sesame seeds and cayenne, is more exciting than traditional spiced nuts in a bowl.